Bear sightings are growing more and more frequent in West Hartford, prompting the town to issue a ‘Black Bear Safety Dos and Don’ts’ email.

Bill Priest took a photo of this bear inside his West Hartford home on Sunday, July 31, 2022. Courtesy image (we-ha.com file photo)

By Ronni Newton

Bears have seemingly become ubiquitous in West Hartford – prompting one Facebook commenter to call them “West Hartford squirrels” – and while it’s important to understand that the large furry creatures have become part of our environment, it’s also critical to ensure the safety of both the bears as well as the humans and other creatures around them.

Just a few years ago any sighting of a bear was news, but in general their appearance is now only newsworthy when their antics involve strolling through the Center in the middle of the day, bouncing on a trampoline, crashing a child’s birthday party to pilfer the cupcakes, scaling the wall of the Governor’s residence, or actually entering a home. In March, a bear was hanging out in a tree right outside the Elmwood Community Center, and a resident (with professional camera equipment) got some great photos.

Bear in a tree at the Elmwood Community Center in West Hartford on March 26, 2025. Photo credit: Alex Adams, HopefullyLevelHeaded Photos (we-ha.com file photo)

As of March 26, when the above photo was taken, the Department of Energy and Environmental Protection (DEEP) had recorded 32 bear sightings in West Hartford in 2025. In 2024, there were more than 400 in town, according to a recently-released “State of the Bears” report.

The featured photo was taken Tuesday in the neighborhood near Bugbee Elementary School. And the photo below was taken last week of a bear that had just scampered across the highly-trafficked Trout Brook Drive.

This bear had just crossed Trout Brook Drive. Screenshot of video by Maurice Kaoud

As of June 10, DEEP’s “Wildlife Sighting Public Viewer” indicates 317 recorded bear sightings in West Hartford in 2025 – but those are just the ones reported. (Note: There have also been 109 bobcat sightings and one moose sighting reported to DEEP.) Statewide, there have been 3,480 bear sightings in Connecticut reported to DEEP since the beginning of 2025, in all but a handful of the 169 municipalities.

Beyond property damage, it can become problematic when bears become too comfortable being around humans.

“If you see a bear on your property you can either leave the bear alone and wait for it to leave or make loud noises from a safe distance to attempt to scare the bear away. After the bear leaves the property, remove anything that may have attracted it to the area,” DEEP states in its fact sheet about black bears.

“The primary contributing factor to bear nuisance problems is the presence of easily accessible food sources near homes and businesses,” the Town of West Hartford stated in an email to the community. “Fed bears can become habituated and lose their fear of humans. Bears should NEVER be fed, either intentionally or accidentally.”

The following advice has been provided by the town to avoid conflicts and problems with black bears:

• DO eliminate food attractants by placing garbage cans inside a garage or shed. To make trash unpalatable, add ammonia.
• DO keep your garage and residence doors closed to keep bears from entering your home.
• DO remove bird feeders and bird food from late March through December.
• DO eliminate food attractants by placing garbage cans inside a garage or shed. To make trash unpalatable, add ammonia.
• DO clean and store grills in a garage or shed after use. (Propane cylinders should be stored outside.)
• DO keep dogs on a short leash and under control. A roaming dog might be perceived as a threat to a bear or its young.
• DON’T feed bears. Bears accustomed to finding food near your home may become “problem” bears.
• DON’T approach or try to get closer to a bear to get a photo or video.
• DON’T leave pet food outside overnight.
• DON’T add meat or sweets to a compost pile.
• DON’T store leftover birdseed or recyclables on a porch or screened sunroom, as bears can smell them and will rip screens to get at them.

The following is additional advice provided by West Hartford Animal Control earlier this year:

“If you see a bear in your yard or your neighbor’s yard, go into a safe place like your home or your car. Observe it from a distance. Do not run up to the bear to take pictures of it. They are somewhat fearful of humans. If you are driving and notice a bear, please do not stop in the middle of the road to take pictures. Also, do not get out of your car to take pictures. Observe from your car safely off to the side of the road. A frightened black bear will climb very high in a tree and will not come down until it feels safe to do so. So the less crowds taking pictures and standing below the tree the better for the bear.”

While bear cubs are very cute, approaching a cub can be even more dangerous than approaching an adult bear, because the mother bear is likely nearby and will want to defend her cub. “Be especially cautious if you see a female with cubs; never place yourself between a mother and her cub, and never attempt to approach them. The chances of an attack escalate greatly if she perceives you as a danger to her cubs,” advises the National Park Service.

A bear using the crosswalk in Elizabeth Park on Sunday, June 28, 2020. Photo credit: Bill Gleason (we-ha.com file photo)

In addition to making noise and waving your arms, DEEP also provides the following advice if a bear is sighted while you are camping or hiking: “If you surprise a bear at close range, walk away slowly while facing the bear. Do not run. Try to stay calm as you make your retreat. Black bears will sometimes ‘bluff charge’ to within a few feet of you when they feel threatened. If this happens, stand your ground and shout at the bear. Do not climb a tree because black bears are excellent tree climbers. Make sure your dog is on a leash and under control,” the fact sheet states, and food should be kept out of reach of bears.

Black bear sightings should be reported to DEEP online here.

If a bear is spotted in a densely-populated area, the DEEP Wildlife Division should be notified as soon as possible. During business hours (Monday through Friday, 8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m.) call 860-424-3011, and after hours (24/7) contact DEEP Dispatch (860-424-3333) to report the sighting, for advice, and to ensure that public safety can take action if necessary.

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